Refrigerating system



Nov. 8, 1932. H. R. VAN DEVENTER 1,886,607

' REERIGERATING SYSTEM Filed March 14, 1927 INVE/ITOR BY 7 w Vailievfn fer Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- may 3. VA! DEVENTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR; BY, MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO IBIGDAIRE CORPORATION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE imrnrcnnarme SYSTEM Application filed larch 14, 1927. Serial No. 175,245. I

This invention relates to refrigerating systems and more particularly to a mechanical refrigerator. 7 1

Heretofore in the operation of compressors 5 in mechanical refrigerating systems, the heat.

developed by compression of a fluid plus the heat developed by the mechanism was imparted to the fluid and carried by it ,as sensible heat into the cooling system, which ineludes the usual condenser connected between the compressor and an evaporator or cooling unit. This resulted in lowered efiiciency of the system by decreasing the temperature differential. In the following specification in 15 and claims where compression unit is re-- ferred to I intend to include a compressor and electric motor for operating the same.

An objeet of this invention is the maintenance of a refrigerator compressor unit in 90 a cool condition at all times under varying conditions oftemperature.

A further object of the invention is the provision of thermostatically controlled cooling means for mechanical refrigerating compressor units.

Yet another object of my invention is the provision of thermostatic control for aux-- ihary cooling means for compressor units of mechanical refrigerating systems that may be operated by the temperature of the air or of the compressor unit itself. A still further objeetof my invention is to provide a compressor unit wherein the coola ing thereof may be governed either by the room temperature or by the temperature of the refrigerator chamber being cooled.

A still further object of my invention is'the securing of optimum efliciency by maintain- 40 ing themaximum temperature differential in the refrigerant of mechanical refrigerating systems. 7 4

I I accomplish these and other desirable results by providing cooling means for the compressor unit which is operably associated therewith only whenjtstemperature exceeds certain predetermined d g ts.

To make my invention more easily understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawlng a preferred embodiment. In these the same numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of which,

Fig. 1 represents an elevation of a refrigerator having a thermostatically controlled compressor unit cooling means; 7

Fig. 2 represents a modificationthereof;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of the control circuits, and v 4 Fig. 4 represents a modification of part of F1 2.

Reflerring to the drawing, there is shown a refrigerator having an interior shell 1 forming a food compartment, and a spaced exterior shell 2. Positioned in the upper part of shell or food compartment 1 and to one side thereof is a cooling unit or evaporator 3 comprising a freezing chamber 4 and ice tra 5 Automatic control means for maintaining the cooling action within the food compartment substantially constant may be provided. Thus, operatively associated with cooling unit 3, is a thermostat 6, which is electrically connected to the compressor unit 7, through a suitable circuit 8. I provide a motor and compressor unit enclosed in hermetic seal to each other, such as described in my" copending application, Ser.

No. 141,213, filed Oct. 12, 1926. Auxiliary cooling means for the compressor unit 7 or for removing the heat of compression, comrises the induction motor 9 and fan 10.

otor 9 is attached to'compressor unit 7 in any desired manner, butI prefer to have it integral therewith for purposes to appear more fully hereinafter. Automatic control means independent of the temperature conditions of above described automatic control means may be provided for the motor 9.- Thus, motor 9 is controlled by a thermostat,

11 outside the food compartment in electrical connection with compressor circuit 8, through line 12.

Compressor unit 7, the compressor end of which is designated b 7a is provided with heat radiating metal ns 13 so adapted and or describe a condenser and its connections between the compressor unit M and evaporater 3, as such connections are the usual and ordinary ones well understood in this art.

Casing 1a is resiliently mounted-on supports through suitable shock absorbers, not shown, and is positioned in chamber 16, which is provided with suitable gratings 17, permitting free flow of air therethrough.

The operation of the device is as follows: The compressor unit 7 is set in motion by the action of thermostat 6 when the temperature in the cooling unit 3 or the refrigerator chamber in which unit 3 is mounted, falls below a predetermined temperature.

During the operation of the compressor unit, heat is generated both by the compression of the fluid and the running of the motor. lhis heat is imparted to the fluid, and transferred by it ultimately to the expanding or cooling chamber, thereby diminishing the effective heat absorbing capacity of the expanding fluid.

To overcome this disadvantage, I provide an auxiliary cooling means for the compressor unit, which comprises essentially, a motor driven fan designed to draw a current of cooling fluid such as air, over the surface of the unit between heat radiating metal fins and a tubular casing or air tunnel surrounding the entire structure. This casing is so arranged with respect to the heat-radiating fins as to provide a series of longitudinal channels or air passages therethrough.

Thermostat 11 is in series with the fan motor only and may be located on the out-- will open the fan circuit and thereby save It has not been deemed necessary to show.

gonsiderable current consumption due to the This arrangement is particularly suited for use in torrid climates or torrid conditions in temperate climates such as heatwaves which are prevalent in summer months.

It is obvious that thermostat 11 can be regulated from an other suitable point. For instance it can e placed on the compressorfan unit casing as shown in Fig. 2 of'the drawing or inside of it on the compressor unit as shown in Fig. 4, so that {the cooling 'is operable when the compressor attains a certain predetermined temperature irrespec- 30 tive of the temperature conditions obtaining in the room.

I It will now be appreciated that I have provided an apparatus which maintains the compressor unit of a mechanical refrigerating system in a cool condition, thereby preventing the transmission of heat generated in the compression unit. This insures the optimum efiiciency of the refrigerant by maintaining its maximum thermal differential.

While I have herein shown and described' a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is merely for purposes of. exemplification, for since the underlying features may be embodied in other? specific mechanical structures, l do not'intend to be limited to the ones shown, except as such limitations are clearly imposed by the appended claims.

1 claim as my invention 1 ice 1. In an automatic refrigerating apparatus, in combination, a motor, a thermostat for controlling said motor, a compressor, auxiliary cooling means for said motor and compressor comprising a motor driven fan, a tubular casing housing said motor, com-' pressor and auxiliary cooling means, anda second thermostat for controlling said auxiliary cooling means,

2. In an automatic refrigeratinn appar'aelilo tus, in combination, a motor, a thermostat for controlling said motor, a compressor, auxiliary cooling means for removing heat of com ression comprising a motor driven fan,

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a tu ularcasing housing said motor, com-J15 pressor and auxiliary cooling means, and a' second thermostat for controlling said auxiliary cooling means, said thermostats being provided with and operating electric switches for controlling the operation of said m0tor;- 12 and motor driven fan, one of said switches controlling the operation of both the motor and motor driven fan, and the other switch controlling only one of them. v

3. An apparatus of the character described; comprising a refrigerator having a compartment to be cooled, a cooling unit therefor, a compressor, a motor for driving-said compressor, automatic control means for controlling the operation of said motor to main---.

tain the cooling action of said cooling unit constant, a cooling means for removing heat of compression, said cooling means including a fan and motor for said fan independent of said first named motor, and automatic control means for said second named motor re sponsive to temperature conditions independent of temperature conditions which control said first named automatic control means.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a refrigerator having a compartment to be cooled, a cooling unit therefor, a compressor, a motor for driving said compressor, automatic control means for controlling the operation of said motor to maintain the cooling action of said cooling unit constant, a cooling means for removing heat of compression, said cooling means including a fan and motor for said fan independent of said first named motor, and automatic control means for said second named motor responsive to temperature conditions outside of said compartment.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a refrigerator having a compartment to be cooled, a cooling unit therefor, a compressor, a motor for driving said compressor, automatic control means for con-.

trolling the operation of said motor to mainment to be cooled, a cooling unit therefor, a compressor, a motor fordriving' said compressor, automatic control means for controlling the operation of said motor to maintain the cooling action of said cooling unit contain the cooling action of said cooling unit constant, a cooling means for removing heat of compression, said cooling means including a fan and motor for said fan independent of said first named motor, and automatic control means for said second named motor responsive to temperature conditions of said compressor.

6. An apparatus of the character described comprising a refrigerator having a com artment to be cooled, a'coolin unit there or, a compressor, a motor for riving said oompressor, automatic control means for controlling the operation of said motor to maintain the cooling action of said cooling unit constant, a cooling means for removing heat of compression, said cooling means including a fan and motor for said fan independent of said first named motor, and automatic control means for said second named motor responsive to temperature conditions outside said refrigerator.

7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a refrigerator having a. compart ment to be cooled, a cooling unit therefor, a compressor, a motor for driving said compressor, automatic control means for controlling the o ration of said motor to main-' tain the coohn action of said cooling, unit constant, a cooling means for removing heat of compression, said cooling means including a fan, and automatic control means for said fans responsive to temperature conditions outside of said refri erator.

' 8. An apparatus 0% the character described comprising a refrigerator having a compart- 

